TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Elder Chris Beltran

For the past three days, we have discussed the first 4 A’s of establishing a deeper relationship with our family: Affirmation, Acceptance, Appreciation, and Availability. Today we will be concluding our short series with the last 3 A’s.

E. Affection gives a sense of love. Some Christian parents who are so committed, gentle, polite, and soft-spoken at church become someone else at home: a dictator, criticizer, unaffectionate, and always in a bad mood. As followers of Christ, we cannot be hypocrites by being different people in our public and private life. Who we are in public must be the same as who we are in the privacy of our homes. There are many ways that we can show affection, like saying, “I love you,” “you look so cute,” and “you look handsome when you take a bath.” When my wife makes lambing (express fondness) to me by saying, “ang bango-bango,” (you smell good), “ang galing mo kanina,” (you did great earlier), “ang gwapo mo sa suot mo,” (you look so handsome in that outfit), it makes me loved. Furthermore, physical affection can come in the form of a hug, an appropriate kiss, holding hands, or an arm on a shoulder. It would be awkward to suddenly start hugging or holding hands with your child if you have not been doing it. He may think that you are sick. Do it gradually. And if your kids are still little, start doing it to them so things will be natural when they grow older.

F. Approach or step into their world gives a sense of adaptability. Often we are not involved in our children’s world. We don’t know what they like or want to be. Sometimes, we don’t know if they are into sports, or we don’t play with them, watch their game, cheer for them, or support them even if they lose. If they want Jollibee, don’t go to McDonald’s, but let us do it with wisdom.

G. Accountability gives a sense of responsibility. We need to teach them responsibility and accountability, but with certain boundaries depending on their maturity. Let them be accountable. While we should affirm and accept them even when they fail, we must not permanently save them when they fail to obey us or honor their word. The child has to experience the consequences of her action or non-action. If they don’t wash their plates well, or if their rooms are a mess, don’t just say, “let the maids do it.” This sends wrong signals that they can escape responsibilities by doing a poor job, and it will be assigned to someone else. Rules without relationships can lead to anger.

Parents must be united in raising their children. Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” although it is not a promise, I believe that God is faithful; if He sees we are faithfully raising our kids the Christian way, and often prays for them, He will bless us and God always keeps His promises.

REFLECTION

The family is being attacked; the devil knows that if the most basic unit of society can be broken, society can be in chaos. Single mother families lack a father figure. Daughters end up lacking affirmation from a male figure and lead on a constant search for affirmation from a man, which sometimes leads to promiscuous behavior. A son would be lacking a father to teach him how to become a man of character and integrity. Couples are fighting each other for leadership over the household. Leadership is not a benefit but a duty and needs the support of everyone. God must be the head of the household, and if God is love, then love must be that element that binds the family. Jesus reminded us to love one another as He has loved us. 

PRAYER

Lord, please continue to supply Your wisdom and understanding to me as a member of my family. Help me learn to apply all these lessons that were taught, and I pray that I will be faithful in leading my family to have a deeper relationship with you and with each other. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.